By
Lorinda Seward, Local 351When the dust settled on the 2024 Editors Weekend, held from October 18-20, 2024, at the Sheraton Toronto Airport and Conference Centre, participants were buzzing with fresh ideas, new skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. Hosted by the inSolidarity committee, this biennial gathering brought OPSEU/SEFPO members together to sharpen our union communications skills and left everyone fired up to keep moving the labour movement forward.The weekend kicked off with a warm welcome from inSolidarity Editor Craig Hadley, OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick, and Vice-President Laurie Nancekivell. Their words set the tone for a weekend filled with learning and solidarity.
Day 1: Accessibility & Going Back to Basics
The first day got rolling with an important session on accessibility, led by OPSEU/SEFPO Comms staff member Andy Pedersen and inSolidarity committee member Michael Hamilton. They tackled the often-overlooked issue of AODA compliance and emphasized the importance of making union communications accessible to all.The afternoon brought a powerful presentation from OPSEU/SEFPO Educational Officer Kishandra Lewis, who urged participants to think outside their usual boxes, get back to the basics, and, perhaps most importantly, make it personal. With Kishandra’s challenge ringing in their ears, participants left the first day ready to dive deeper.
Day 2: Creativity Meets Practicality
Day 2 started with a trio of workshops that left no communication stone unturned. Participants chose between:
- “Posts and Posters that Pop” with Graphic Designer Jason Alward
- “Media Relations Should Be Called Media Relationships” with inSolidarity Editor Craig Hadley and OPSEU/SEFPO Communications Officer Katie Arnup
- “Engaging and Powerful Writing” with OPSEU Communications Officer Michelle Langlois
The second block of the morning saw participants either jump into the world of smartphone videography with OPSEU/SEFPO Videographer and CALM Coordinator Anna Jover in her “Film, Edit, Mobilize” workshop or explore accessible forms and surveys in a solidarity-building session with OPSEU/SEFPO Staff Rep Patrick Fry-Smith.The afternoon saw Anna’s videographer workshop participants perfecting their editing skills, while Jason Alward led a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of WordPress.Just as the learning was winding down, participants were treated to a thought-provoking keynote from Randy Robinson of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Randy cut through the numbers game, explaining how the Ford government uses misleading stats to mask the harsh realities of privatization. His message was clear: stay informed, and don’t be fooled by big, deceptive numbers.Day 2 finished in the evening with the
presentation of comms Awards of Excellence to the many OPSEU/SEFPO locals and groups which submitted some of the excellent work they’ve been doing over the past year.
Day 3: Looking Ahead
The weekend wrapped up with the election of the 2024-2026 inSolidarity Committee. A hearty congratulations goes out to the newly elected members:
- Craig Hadley, Local 5109
- Michael Hamilton, Local 376
- Wendy Lee, Local 575
- Alexandrea Seggewiss, Local 715
- Lorinda Seward, Local 351
We look forward to seeing the creativity and passion this group will bring to the committee, as we continue to amplify the voices of OPSEU/SEFPO members and push the labour movement forward.Finally, none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of OPSEU/SEFPO staff. A big thank you to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make Editors Weekend 2024 such a success! Your efforts ensure that we can continue to strengthen our communications and build solidarity across the province.As we look ahead to the next two years, it’s clear that this Editors Weekend wasn’t just a conference – it was a launchpad for new ideas, new leaders, and a renewed commitment to fighting for what’s right. Stay tuned.
Presentations, slideshows, links
